It's a shame this bike will exist longer than Sears as a company.
12-05-21, 06:22 PM
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It's a shame this bike will exist longer than Sears as a company.
I just picked up this really clean Sears Sport Racer. The guys neighbor bought it new and put just over 300 miles on it according to the odometer and according to what the original owner said. I know they sold one like this with a 531 frame but I don't think this is one of those, not sure. Internal brake cable. It's pretty clean though. Made in Austria, even the original tires are from Austria. I'll probably let this one sit till spring, then I'll tear it apart and put new grease in.
Note the internal brake cable
Huret
Huret
Gold anodized brake levers
Hard plastic saddle
Note the internal brake cable
Huret
Huret
Gold anodized brake levers
Hard plastic saddle
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12-05-21, 06:32 PM
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That's such a nice clean example of a boom bike with class. Even at the risk of a week in a doghouse, I'd buy it too
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12-05-21, 06:43 PM
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-----
nice find!
a Burgie in Roebucks clothing
looks like MCMLXV
remember, you've got a 26.0mm steerer there
the long item number stamped into the frame will commence with the 503 code indicating a product sourced of Steyr/Puch of Graz Austria
-----
nice find!
a Burgie in Roebucks clothing
looks like MCMLXV
remember, you've got a 26.0mm steerer there
the long item number stamped into the frame will commence with the 503 code indicating a product sourced of Steyr/Puch of Graz Austria
-----
Last edited by juvela; 12-05-21 at 06:47 PM. Reason: addition
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12-05-21, 06:48 PM
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All of the Sears 531 bikes that I have seen were a green/gold color.
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12-05-21, 06:57 PM
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1. Should put it in the biggest gear before photograph.
2. Right shifter position doesn't match rear derailleur position.
3. Wing nuts on both axles? Wow!
4. Very interesting internal rear brake cable design.
5. Crank is pretty, but cotter pins say "replace me".
6. Mechanical odometer... that's right out of my childhood.
This will be a fun project with some interesting challenges. I'll watch for updates.
2. Right shifter position doesn't match rear derailleur position.
3. Wing nuts on both axles? Wow!
4. Very interesting internal rear brake cable design.
5. Crank is pretty, but cotter pins say "replace me".
6. Mechanical odometer... that's right out of my childhood.
This will be a fun project with some interesting challenges. I'll watch for updates.
12-05-21, 07:07 PM
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1. Should put it in the biggest gear before photograph.
2. Right shifter position doesn't match rear derailleur position.
3. Wing nuts on both axles? Wow!
4. Very interesting internal rear brake cable design.
5. Crank is pretty, but cotter pins say "replace me".
6. Mechanical odometer... that's right out of my childhood.
This will be a fun project with some interesting challenges. I'll watch for updates.
2. Right shifter position doesn't match rear derailleur position.
3. Wing nuts on both axles? Wow!
4. Very interesting internal rear brake cable design.
5. Crank is pretty, but cotter pins say "replace me".
6. Mechanical odometer... that's right out of my childhood.
This will be a fun project with some interesting challenges. I'll watch for updates.
12-05-21, 07:16 PM
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I had its cousin, a Puch Bergmeister. A smidge heavy, but it rode like a dream. Cool bike!
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12-05-21, 07:35 PM
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12-05-21, 08:02 PM
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I think it's common that inferior wingnuts will eventually pull out of horizontal dropouts. You can't torque those wheels into place with your fingers properly, and if you use wrenches, the alloy often bends and breaks even if the inserts are steel or brass. I'd use hard nuts.
Rear facing track ends with axle retainers are OK with wingnuts but they should be steel imo. Then again I've seen a lot of nice bikes with GB wings on Sturmey rear hubs too. Hmmn
Rear facing track ends with axle retainers are OK with wingnuts but they should be steel imo. Then again I've seen a lot of nice bikes with GB wings on Sturmey rear hubs too. Hmmn
12-05-21, 08:05 PM
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12-05-21, 08:07 PM
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Hey 76:
There are hundreds of ancient SEARS catalogs digitally scanned and archived online where you can at no charge fip through and view them.
THIS SITE HAS A GOOD NUMBER OF Sears, Monkey Wards, and JC Penneys CATALOGS:
https://christmas.musetechnical.com
THIS OTHER SITE HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF Sears CATALOGS:
The Catalogs! ? WishbookWeb
--- If You've Got The Time, You Can Find Your Particular SEARS bicycle in the appropriate year(s) catalog ----
There are hundreds of ancient SEARS catalogs digitally scanned and archived online where you can at no charge fip through and view them.
THIS SITE HAS A GOOD NUMBER OF Sears, Monkey Wards, and JC Penneys CATALOGS:
https://christmas.musetechnical.com
THIS OTHER SITE HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF Sears CATALOGS:
The Catalogs! ? WishbookWeb
--- If You've Got The Time, You Can Find Your Particular SEARS bicycle in the appropriate year(s) catalog ----
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12-05-21, 08:29 PM
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I think it's common that inferior wingnuts will eventually pull out of horizontal dropouts. You can't torque those wheels into place with your fingers properly, and if you use wrenches, the alloy often bends and breaks even if the inserts are steel or brass. I'd use hard nuts.
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12-05-21, 08:48 PM
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I think it's common that inferior wingnuts will eventually pull out of horizontal dropouts. You can't torque those wheels into place with your fingers properly, and if you use wrenches, the alloy often bends and breaks even if the inserts are steel or brass. I'd use hard nuts.
Rear facing track ends with axle retainers are OK with wingnuts but they should be steel imo. Then again I've seen a lot of nice bikes with GB wings on Sturmey rear hubs too. Hmmn
Rear facing track ends with axle retainers are OK with wingnuts but they should be steel imo. Then again I've seen a lot of nice bikes with GB wings on Sturmey rear hubs too. Hmmn
I broke one once, used a replacement. It's very hard to tighten them enough so the wheel doesn't slip, but I've done a couple of Eroica Californias and Cino with them. They look really cool, and Eroica is part cosplay, so I use them, but I do carry a set of nuts and a wrench just in case.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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12-05-21, 08:48 PM
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This bike is pre boom. '65 '66?
before Sears found AMF for the adult bikes.
Before Ted Williams endorsements.
12-06-21, 08:46 AM
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Hey 76:
There are hundreds of ancient SEARS catalogs digitally scanned and archived online where you can at no charge fip through and view them.
THIS SITE HAS A GOOD NUMBER OF Sears, Monkey Wards, and JC Penneys CATALOGS:
https://christmas.musetechnical.com
THIS OTHER SITE HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF Sears CATALOGS:
The Catalogs! ? WishbookWeb
--- If You've Got The Time, You Can Find Your Particular SEARS bicycle in the appropriate year(s) catalog ----
There are hundreds of ancient SEARS catalogs digitally scanned and archived online where you can at no charge fip through and view them.
THIS SITE HAS A GOOD NUMBER OF Sears, Monkey Wards, and JC Penneys CATALOGS:
https://christmas.musetechnical.com
THIS OTHER SITE HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF Sears CATALOGS:
The Catalogs! ? WishbookWeb
--- If You've Got The Time, You Can Find Your Particular SEARS bicycle in the appropriate year(s) catalog ----
12-06-21, 02:16 PM
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That internal cable routing is really interesting.
12-06-21, 02:19 PM
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Cool bike. What's not to love about a bike with cottered cranks, cottered cranks, and a frame made out of genuine "racing alloy" steel? I've never seen a GLR saddle. Gosh that bike is pristine, nice score.
12-06-21, 03:40 PM
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...the Sears bikes that were made from Reynolds 531 were all branded "Ted Williams", IIRC.
https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=13125165
...the Sears bikes that were made from Reynolds 531 were all branded "Ted Williams", IIRC.
https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=13125165
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12-06-21, 05:21 PM
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In my highly biased opinion, Austrian bikes are great, although mine are from a much smaller company in Vienna.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
12-06-21, 10:00 PM
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...the Sears bikes that were made from Reynolds 531 were all branded "Ted Williams", IIRC.
https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=13125165
...the Sears bikes that were made from Reynolds 531 were all branded "Ted Williams", IIRC.
https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=13125165
12-06-21, 10:06 PM
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12-06-21, 11:35 PM
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...it was a BF search link. I guess they expire after a certain amount of time. Anyway, try this old thread: Is this a 531 Ted Williams Free Spirit? AFAIK, these Ted Williams labeled bikes were the only Reynolds 531 bikes they ever sold at Sears.
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